Aboriginal health

We recognize that our places of work and Vancouver Coastal facilities lie on the traditional homelands of the fourteen First Nation communities of Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, Sechelt, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.

VCH began committing financial and human resources to the area of Aboriginal health in 1999, in order to work towards meaningful change in Aboriginal communities in our region. Our goal is to work closely with both urban and rural Aboriginal communities to help close the gap between the health status of Aboriginal community members and non-Aboriginal community members in our region.

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Aboriginal Patient Navigator Program

APNs provide a benefit to both the patient and to health care providers. The APN works directly with VCH staff and other health care service providers to make sure Aboriginal patients get the best care possible.

APNs can:

Help staff create a personal plan when a patient leaves a hospital or care program.

Help VCH health care teams understand and work with Aboriginal health practices and beliefs.

Assist staff if a patient or family member requests access to an Elder or a traditional ceremony such as:

Aboriginal Wellness Program

The Aboriginal Wellness Program (A.W.P.) develops and delivers culturally safe mental wellness and addiction programs for First Nations and Aboriginal people residing within the Lower Mainland including:

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada and was established in October 2013. The Ministry of Health and the six other health authorities work collectively with the FNHA and First Nations communities to ensure that public health programs are aligned with a First Nations perspective of wellness and can be adapted as appropriate to fit the unique needs of First Nations and Aboriginal people in BC.

Aboriginal Cultural Practices – This cultural practices guide aims to help VCH staff within hospital acute care settings to provide culturally responsive health care services to Aboriginal clients/patients. To view the table of contents, use the bookmark function (available when viewing in browser in the top right corner).